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New Fire Station For Richland-Taylor Volunteer Fire Department

Last updated on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

(GREENE COUNTY) - The Greene County Commissioners went on record Monday backing the proposed construction of a new fire station in Taylor Township during a public hearing hosted by the commissioner and conducted by Rex Knight of Southern Indiana Development Commission, the grant administrators.

The 60 feet by 100 feet building will be constructed in the Scotland Meadows Business Park, located in the Westgate at Crane Technology Park.

The commissioners, on behalf of the Taylor Township and the Richland Taylor Volunteer Fire Department, are seeking a $400,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to assist with the $445,000 project.

The Greene County Redevelopment Commission and the Greene County Community Foundation have pledged a $45,000 local match for the grant.

The Re-development Commission is donating a 4.20 tract of land to the fire department and township, in the southwest corner of the business park In addition the Redevelopment Commission has agreed to contribute up to $50,000 to the project if needed.

Fire Chief Randy Baker says the department has outgrown their current facility because they can't house all of the department's vehicle. Two of the fire department's vehicle are being house in a pole barn on Baker's property. The department is also looking at providing ambulance service and with the I-69 construction will see more emergency runs.

He says the department currently covers 40 lane miles of I-69 and that is without providing mutual aid with Daviess County, Center and Jackson Townships.

Commissioner Rick Graves wants to talk with fire officials in both counties to see if an agreement can be worked out that might pay a contract fee to the Richland-Taylor Fire Department to provide first responder service to the entire tech park.

Taylor Township Trustee Chuck Crouch says with the fire department in the park, more businesses will move into the park providing more jobs for the community.

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